Page 48 of Guarded King

“Not that I blame you,” she whispers. “That man isfine.”

“He’s very good-looking,” I murmur, leaving it at that. Over the last couple of months, Sophie and I have become friends. Wehave lunch together most days, and she’s quizzed me extensively about my dating life—or the lack of it—even offering to set me up with one of her brothers. An offer I politely refused.

She lets out a quiet snort at my gross understatement, but, blessedly, she lets the subject drop. Though the reprieve doesn’t last long. When the meeting is over, we all file out. Roman, Cole, and Tate lead the group, and if the sight of those three men side by side isn’t enough to make any red-blooded woman a little weak at the knees, I don’t know what is.

Sophie, clearly sensing the direction my thoughts have veered—again—angles her head toward mine as we walk. “Come on. You can’t tell me you haven’t had a fantasy or two about him throwing you down on his desk during a late-night meeting.”

“Did you, with Tate before he got engaged?” I toss back at her.

She merely laughs. “Before Violet, Tate was too much of a playboy for me. Give me the quiet, intense type like Roman any day of the week.” Brow cocked, she looks from them to me again. “He’s so reserved, but I’m pretty sure that when he finally lets go, he does real damage. Like a wild animal that will ravage you absolutely senseless and ruin you for any other man.” She lets out a dreamy sigh.

I swallow past my dry throat, because I’ve had that very same thought.

Every facet of Roman is controlled, reserved. Like a wild beast pacing back and forth inside a cage. He looks contained, but the moment someone unlocks the door, he’ll be on them like a feral animal.

What would it be like? For him to unleash himself on me? What would it be like to be pressed into the mattress by his big body? What exactly would it take to unlock that door?

Though I try my best not to let it happen, more and more, my mind has drifted to thoughts of him stripping off his jacket andloosening his tie, all while watching me with hungry gray eyes. I imagine him, shirt untucked and unbuttoned, prowling toward me like a big jungle cat intent on finding its next meal.

And that meal would be me.

My stomach clenches. Oh god, why, why, why does he have to be so gorgeous? Things have gotten even worse since he took off his stained shirt in his office, putting all that smooth skin, those taut muscles, and defined abs on display. Not to mention that oh-so-enticing V of muscle that dipped into his pants. The sight of that alone made me ache to trace the line of it with my fingers to discover where it leads.

And when he picked Dad and me up to take us to Dr. Clarke’s office? When he touched me and told me he knew we’d be okay, but he was going to send Phillip back for us anyway? I felt cared for. I feltsafe.

Secret crush on my boss or not, I can’t be distracted at work.

“I can feel you worrying from here,” Sophie says. “It’s fine. Your ogling is discreet. Almost as discreet as his.”

Breath catching, I whip my head in her direction. “What?”

Ahead of us, Roman glances over his shoulder, his gaze raking over me in a way that has my skin buzzing. The perusal only lasts the space of a few heartbeats before he turns away again.

“Yeah, like that.” She lets out a giggle. “Haven’t you noticed?”

I shake my head. “That’s just the way he looks at people. He’s… you know, intense.”

“He’s never looked at me that way,” she says, brow arched. “If he did, my panties would probably spontaneously explode.”

I roll my eyes. “I think my panties are safe.”

“Well, that’s a damn shame.”

We both laugh. This time earning a look from RomanandTate.

I don’t care, though. It’s nice to laugh. Between my job and Lola’s role as a new mother, we haven’t chatted as much lately, and there are some things I can’t talk to Dad about. How sexy my boss is sits at the top of that list.

“Did you get the save-the-date email for the annual King Group gala?” Sophie asks.

“I saw it in my inbox this morning but just skimmed it. It’s not for a couple of months, though, right?”

“Uh-huh. We’ll get a formal invitation closer to the date.” She clasps her tablet to her chest. “I can’t wait. I love getting dressed up and being wined and dined. Especially since it’s supporting a good cause.”

“So you’re definitely going?”

“Absolutely. We can go together since we’re both single.”

Warmth swells unexpectedly. A night out with Sophie would be a nice break from my day-to-day. “It has been a while since I’ve gotten dressed up.”